COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF ENVIRONMENT SPC

Wednesday, September 3  2008

HEADED ITEM NO 4

Report on proposed Climate Change Strategy;

At the meeting of the Committee held on the 5^th May last it was noted that the Council proposed to engage with CODEMA which is an Energy Agency established 10 years ago under the aegis of Dublin City Council, to assist in the formulation of a Climate Change Strategy for the County. 

In 2007 the Agency worked with the Environment SPC of the City Council on the development of a Climate Change Strategy for the City.  Given the proximity to the city, the similarities in population profile, the nature of both our businesses and the scales involved it is considered that there will be strong similarities in the approach.

Since the May meeting a Workshop was held for SPC members (on the 23^rd May) which identified priority headings and data to be included in the strategy. Following the workshop meetings were held with CODEMA in order to develop a process which would lead to the preparation of a Draft Strategy. 

Input to the draft Strategy was requested from a number of relevant Departments of the Council and when received was forwarded to Codema for examination and consideration.

It is proposed that the Strategy will address the issue of Climate Change under the following five headings:

1.     Energy

2.     Planning

3.     Transport

4.     Waste Management

5.     Biodiversity

Proposed Terms of Reference

It is recommended that the Terms of Reference for the Strategy should be as follows;

• A practical document
• A User friendly document
• Goals that are achieveable
• A limited number of indicators

A draft timeline for the development of the strategy was agreed with CODEMA as follows;

 Climate Change Strategy Timeline

Ø      15/7/2008 - Meeting with  CODEMA - General draft programme of work agreed

Ø      18/7/2008 - deadline for feedback on SDCC climate change strategy from departments (Review feedback documentation)

Ø      15/8/2008 - Forward feedback documentation to CODEMA

Ø      15/8/2008 – 10/10/2008 – SDCC working with CODEMA to draft/edit document (taking annual leave/ absences into account)

Ø      10/10/2008 – Edited 1^st draft version of documentation returned to SDCC

Ø      10/10/2008 - 31/10/2008 - SDCC  to review 1^st draft version of documentation

Ø      31/10/2008  -Amended  document returned to CODEMA

Ø      7/11/2008 –  Draft document ready

Ø      21/11/2008 - Meeting with SPC Working Group to discuss draft

Ø      21/11/2008 -Commencement of public consultation period (This will include going to the Area Committees and having at least one public forum in each Committee area.)

Ø      16/01/2009 – End of  public consultation period

Ø      23/01/2009 -  Feedback from public consultation to CODEMA

Ø      30/01/2009 -- Final draft ready            

Ø      04/02/2009 – Final draft to Environment SPC meeting  for approval

Ø      09/03/2009 – Approval at Council meeting

It is proposed to adhere to the above time schedule as closely as possible. However some adjustment may be required as the process develops.

It is likely therefore that the South Dublin Climate Change Strategy will be ready for launch in March 2009.  It is proposed that the launch will be followed by the development of an Action Plan that will outline the progression of the Strategy. 

Mr. Gerry Wardell from CODEMA is in attendance at the meeting and he will make a presentation on the issues involved in the development of South Dublin County Council’s Climate Change strategy.